§ 12. Mr. Mathersasked the Secretary of State for War when it is intended to bring home Army personnel who have been in the Middle East since the early days of the war; and is he aware of the need, in the interests of health, to bring these men home in the summer months.
§ Sir J. GriggI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Prime Minister to my hon. Friend the Member for Leigh (Mr. Tinker) on 22nd February. As to the second part of the hon. Member's Question, these men are necessarily brought home as and when the shipping is available.
§ Mr. MathersWhat period have these men now, to serve before they are considered fully qualified; and has account been taken of the desirability of bringing them home from a hot climate, while we are approaching warmer weather here?
§ Sir J. GriggThe second part of that question contains precisely the same point as that dealt with in my answer. With regard to the first part, I explained that the qualifying period for re-transfer to the home establishment has now got down to five years in India, as elsewhere. But I am certain that if it is a question of men waiting until climatic conditions are suitable to come home they would prefer to come home at the wrong season of the year, instead of waiting.
§ Mr. MathersIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these men understood that they were being brought home during this summer, and that the period now seems to have been extended?
§ Sir J. GriggCertain progress is being made in catching up the lag in the operation of the scheme in India, compared with its operation elsewhere. We are doing the best we can with the shipping available, when operational needs permit.
Mr. AstorAre there rest camps in the mountains of Lebanon to which the men in Palestine can go when necessary?
§ Sir J. GriggThe hon. Member had better put that question down. I am afraid I do not carry all the details in my mind.